5D plates
5D Number Plates from £34.45 per plate
Laser-cut acrylic characters with a gel top layer — also known as 4D gel — single plates or matching pairs.
- DVLA-registered supplier(RNPS 75449)
- Royal Mail deliveryUK-wide
- Ilford collection availableReady within 3 hours
- Order by 2pm Mon–FriSame-day dispatch aim
Replacement plates
Replacement 5D and 4D Gel Number Plates
Need to replace a damaged, lost or worn 5D plate? We make like-for-like replacements in the correct legal format, using the same high-quality acrylic-and-gel finish from our range.
Damaged acrylic, gel lifting or worn backing
If the acrylic has cracked or the gel layer has lifted, the fix is a new plate. If it's one of ours and you think it's a manufacturing fault, contact us and we'll assess it.
Replacing a lost front or rear plate
Order just the one you've lost, in the size of the plate you're keeping.
Matching a single plate's finish and overall depth
Order a single front or rear plate and we'll match it to our own 5D construction. We can't guarantee an identical match to a different supplier's acrylic-plus-gel plate, since construction and depth vary between makers.
Correcting illegal spacing or upgrading from printed plates
We can only make your registration in the correct legal layout, so a replacement may look different from a non-compliant original. You can switch from printed to 5D, or to another finish, without telling the DVLA, as long as the registration itself isn't changing.
Know the difference
4D Gel Number Plates — Our 5D Finish Explained
Some suppliers call this construction “4D gel”; on ReplacementPlates we call it 5D. It starts the same way as our 4D plates — laser-cut solid acrylic characters — with a gel layer added on top.
The result combines the sharp edge of laser-cut acrylic with the glossy finish of a gel top. Naming for this construction varies across the market; this section describes our own product.
Comparison
5D vs 4D vs 3D — Acrylic, Gel or Both?
5D
Laser-cut acrylic with a gel top.
From£34.45
- Characters
- Laser-cut acrylic with a gel top
- Edge
- Rounded over a sharp base
- Look
- Combines depth with a glossy top layer
4D
Laser-cut solid acrylic, bonded to the plate.
From£17.45
- Characters
- Laser-cut solid acrylic, bonded to the plate
- Edge
- Sharp, flat-topped
- Look
- Crisp and defined
Sizes and options
5D Plate Sizes and Finish Options
A common standard car-plate size is 520mm × 111mm. Other sizes may be available for some registrations; the builder shows what is offered for this style once you enter your registration.
Standard Size
520mm × 111mm. Shorter sizes may also be available for this style — the builder will show what's offered once you enter your registration.
Motorcycle Options
5D finishes may be available on selected motorcycle plate formats — the builder will show what's currently offered for your registration.
Measuring for a Replacement
Measure your existing plate and the mounting area before ordering a replacement size.
Legal information
Are 5D and 4D Gel Plates Legal?
Yes, when made correctly: solid black, non-reflective characters at the legal size and spacing, on the correct reflective background, with the required supplier and British Standard markings.
This is separate from the DVSA MOT check, which looks at condition, legibility, security and fitting.
- Charles Wright Typeface
- Legal Size and Spacing
- Correct Reflective Background
- Supplier Markings (British Standard)
How to order
Order 5D Plates Online — Documents and Preview
Enter your registration, choose front, rear or a pair, and preview before you buy.
Enter Your
RegistrationType your number plate into our builder to see the available options.
Choose Plate
OptionsSelect front, rear or a pair and choose your preferred style and size (where available).
Preview Your Plate
See a live preview of your 5D number plate with your chosen options.
Add to Basket
and CheckoutOnce you’re happy with your plate, add to basket and complete your order.
Documents
Identity and Registration Documents
To order number plates, we need to verify your identity and that you’re entitled
to use the registration number. You can provide the following documents.
Proof of Your Name and Address
Driving licence; utility, Council Tax or rates bill or bank/building society statement from the last 6 months; or national identity card. A passport or bank card proves your name only.
- Driving Licence
- Utility Bill
- Council Tax Bill
- Bank Statement
- National Identity Card
Proof You Can Use the Registration
Your V5C logbook or its green new-keeper slip, a V750 certificate of entitlement, a V778 retention certificate, a V11 tax reminder showing the registration, a V379 temporary registration certificate, a stamped V948 (physical authorisation) or an electronic eV948 confirmation, or a letter from a fleet or lease company quoting your V5C document reference number.
Delivery and collection
5D Plate Delivery and Ilford Collection
Standard Royal Mail First Class delivery is £3 on orders under £15 and free on orders of £15 or more. Upgrade to Royal Mail Tracked 24 for an additional £2. Royal Mail delivery times are aims, not guarantees. First Class aims for the next working day (including Saturday). Order before 2pm Monday to Friday for same-day dispatch once checks are complete.
Royal Mail First Class
Standard delivery with Royal Mail’s next-working-day aim (including Saturday).
- Standard
(Free over £15) - Next-working-day
aim (Mon–Sat)
Royal Mail Tracked 24
Add Royal Mail Tracked 24 for £2 at checkout for extra peace of mind.
- Tracked 24
(+£2) - Order before 2pm
(Mon–Fri)
Ilford Collection
Collect from Castleview Gardens, Ilford, IG1 3QF.
Message us on WhatsApp to confirm same-day availability before you travel.
Message on WhatsAppCare and support
Caring for Layered Plates and Warranty Support
Wash with car shampoo and a soft cloth. New orders carry a 12-month manufacturing-defect warranty from the delivery or collection date, in addition to your statutory rights. A warranty covers manufacturing defects; it is not a statement that a product is approved for road use. If you think a plate has a fault, contact us and we'll assess it.
Clean Gently
Wash with car shampoo and a soft cloth.
Avoid Scratching
Do not scrape ice or dirt off the gel-topped characters with anything hard.
Warranty Support
If you think a plate we made has a manufacturing fault, contact us and we’ll assess it.
Guides
Helpful Guides and Information
Answering the most common questions and helping you choose the right number plate for your vehicle.
FAQs
5D Number Plate FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about our 5D number plates.
It's our name for an acrylic-plus-gel construction; other suppliers use different terms for similar or different builds. Our specification is described above.
Per plate. A pair is £69.95.
We'll match it to our own 5D construction; an identical visual match to a different supplier isn't guaranteed.
We'll match size and use our own 5D construction; an identical visual match to a plate made by a different supplier isn't guaranteed, as construction varies between manufacturers.
See the sizes above; the builder will show what fits your registration.
Yes, when made to the current rules — see above.
Ready within 3 hours (contact us via WhatsApp to confirm same-day collection). Please confirm before travelling.
It adds tracking and Royal Mail's own next-working-day aim, on top of the standard First Class service.
Contact us and we'll assess it.
Ready to order
Order Your 5D Number Plates
Enter your registration, choose your options, and preview your 5D number plates before you buy.
- Fast DispatchOrder before 2pm
- DVLA RegisteredRNPS 75449
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